Digital Cameras and Lenses

[Steve_OS]

I'm looking to get a digital camera, the one I currently have is probably a good 7 years old. I'm looking at this one.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi 10.1

I keep reading that the lense isn't all that great, but I have no idea what that means. Are there all sorts of lenses you can get for these cameras? If so, what are the differences? Why is one lense better than the next?

Thanks.

[aukevin]

Re: Digital Cameras and Lenses

Steve, my wife has that exact camera and absolutely loves it. She knows a lot about the camera so I showed her your post. She replied with this:

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YES, the reviews are right, don't waste your money on the stock lens. Just buy the body and get a different lens. The kind of lens you'll want depends on what you'll be photographing. If you'll give me an example, I can make some suggestions.

The main thing you need to know about purchasing lenses is focal length and aperture.

Focal length is the first number in the lens. Take: Canon 70-200mm f/4.0

70-200mm is how far you are going to be able to zoom. If your camera now is an average, point and shoot digital camera, it probably has a 3x zoom. Which means the focal length is about 35-100mm. If that gives you an idea. So a 70-200mm lens would start off zoomed in twice as far as your camera now when it is not zoomed in at all, and would zoom twice as far as your camera does now when it is zoomed in all the way. If it only has one number, like Canon 85mm f/1.8, then that means it does not zoom AT ALL. The lens will always stay in the exact same place, and to get closer or farther away, you will have to zoom with your feet.

Aperture is the second number in the lens, following the f. In this lens, f/4.0

Typically, the lower the aperture, the better in my opinion. The lower the aperture, the wider your lens is going to open and the more light it is going to allow in. Which means you'll be able to take pictures of fast moving objects (fast motion, action shots) and pictures in lower light settings (indoor, no flash). Personally I would never buy a lens with an aperture with a higher number than f/4.0

For more information, this site (http://the-digital-picture.com/) is a GREAT resource for Canon lenses and will tell you everything you need to know about lenses, purchasing lenses, what all the numbers means, and what lens would work best for you for the type of photos you want to take.

For my first lens, I got the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens, and it has done well as an all purpose or "walkaround" lens. Here are a few examples:

Lowlight portrait (no flash)


Bright light portrait


Outdoor action


For more examples, all the the pictures on this site ( http://www.monsterpaparazzi.com/photos/) taken after the middle of October were taken with the Canon XTi with the previous mentioned Tamron lens.

Hope this helps!!

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So, there you go Steve. I hope some of that helps you out.

[Steve_OS]

Re: Digital Cameras and Lenses

Thanks, I think I'm in love w/ your wife now too!

Sounds like the lense I need is the exact one I'm looking for, since I like to take a lot of action/sporting event pictures. Can't wait to order and try it out. Ask her how hard it is to install the new lense, I've never done that before.

Tell your wife I said thanks!

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Digital Cameras and Lenses

Thanks, I think I'm in love w/ your wife now too!

Sounds like the lense I need is the exact one I'm looking for, since I like to take a lot of action/sporting event pictures. Can't wait to order and try it out. Ask her how hard it is to install the new lense, I've never done that before.

Tell your wife I said thanks!

You should see her Mii...smookin'!

[aukevin]

Re: Digital Cameras and Lenses

Ask her how hard it is to install the new lense, I've never done that before.

She says...

"It's not that hard. You pretty much just stick it on. You can figure it out! If not, I think they do actually include instructions.....

One more thing, whichever lens you get, be sure to get a lens hood (if it doesn't come with it, buy one) and always use it! "

[aukevin]

Re: Digital Cameras and Lenses

You should see her Mii...smookin'!

[Steve_OS]

Re: Digital Cameras and Lenses

HOLY EXPENSIVE! Man, getting the right camera sure does cost a pretty penny. Might have to wait a little while longer, hehe.

Thanks again!